We were lucky to catch up with Bradley McKinney recently and have shared our conversation below.

Bradley, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

Music has always been a big part of my life and personality and I always had the “dream” to be a musician even as a kid, but I knew for sure that I could professionally pursue my art in January of 2022.

Bradley, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I come from a family with a background in music. My grandpa was a professional musician and as a result, my siblings, cousins, and I all took piano lessons from a young age. I also began playing the saxophone around age 9 and became active in my school’s music programs. After graduating high school, I went to the University of Louisville (UofL) and began an education at the School of Music there. During my time at UofL, I started recording and performing music professionally on the piano and the saxophone. I continued this until Covid began and then really found my style on the piano and continue to play piano both as a solo performer and with groups.

The only way I can continue to perform professionally is if people and businesses continue to hire me. Regardless of what some people think, there is (and always will be) a desire for live music and when I go to perform somewhere, I make sure that I am focused, on time, well dressed, and that I play appropriately to the audience in the room. Not only that, but I promote every show that I do on social media. This helps bring in people to the venues I perform at and helps generate activity with these venue’s social media accounts. I look at it as working together to continue running business; if I can bring business in, I’m more valuable and can continue growing.

Hotels, restaurants, bars, etc. are all great venues to play at, but an artist always needs to grow. To get to that next level, I’m happy to say that I will have original music being released this year. I’m very excited to offer some of my own music now and expand the opportunities that I have to make and perform music.

When you come to see me play, you’re getting an experience. Whether it be my music or covers, as a solo artist or with a band, you’re getting just that: an experience.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

The biggest goal I have is to one day perform my music internationally, specifically in Sicily. That’s what motivates me to continue growing my music, business, and skillsets. I look forward to seeing what bigger goals I can set for myself after achieving this one.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

There’s a lot of cool perks that come with being a professional musician and its very satisfying to know that you can “pay the bills” with your music. But the most rewarding part about what I do is when I can physically see when my work has connected with someone. Whether that is a listener requesting an original piece during my performance or observing members in the audience tapping their feet along to my music, it is a very positive and fulfilling feeling and raises my value and confidence as a musician.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bradley-mckinney-music.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradley_mck_official/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BradleyMcKinneyOfficial
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/brad_mck_
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@bradleymckinney9824